Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Wednesday sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to six months imprisonment on contempt of court charges for failing to appear for her trial in absentia, although her verdict will take effect only when she either surrenders herself for arrest or surrenders voluntarily, according to officials from three news outlets (Barrons.com, Reuter’s and Bdnews24.com).
Contempt Charges Based on Leaked Recording
Hasina was found guilty on contempt charges as the result of a leaked phone call–confirmed through forensic analysis–where she reportedly declared she now had “a licence to kill 227 people”, in reference to the 227 court cases filed against her (reuters.com and bdnews24 both report this news item as true).
Prosecutors claimed her statements constituted contempt, endangering witnesses and undermining the integrity of the judiciary.
Shakil Akand Bulbul, leader of the now-banned Awami League’s student wing, received an identical two-month jail term on similar charges (straitstimes.com/straitstimes+3/reuters.com +3/ channelnewsasia +3/8/7/18).
Hasina, 77, fled to India following mass student protests that led to her ouster and has since lived a self-imposed exile despite multiple court summonses (Wikipedia +3; Reuter’s +3; Channel News Asia). For more information on Hasina’s story click on any of these three websites (En.Wikipedia.Org +3; Reuter’s +3; ChannelNewsAsia +3)
Hasina became the first individual convicted since leaving office to be found guilty of contempt, adding another legal challenge to an already growing list of legal challenges for her in recent months; these proceedings also cover her alleged role in crimes against humanity during last summer’s July-August crackdown (en.wikipedia.org, bdnews24.com and reuters.com all have similar reports).
Supporters of the trial accuse it of being politically-driven; in response, however, the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus defends it as an essential step toward accountability following what they describe as an authoritarian rule marked by rights abuses (reuters.com).
Tribunal Authority and Enforcement
The three-member tribunal headed by Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder rendered its verdict when Hasina and Bulbul failed to respond to court summonses or seek legal advice, according to ICT rules that require them to do so for automatic sentencing (bdnews24.com +1 and reuters.com both provide this feature).
Hasina was legally represented by a court-appointed lawyer despite her absence, as required. Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam stressed that her sentence would stand upon either her return to Bangladesh or arrest there (sources: Wikipedia and Reuter’s).
Broader Political and Legal Landscape
This sentence further widens the gap between Hasina’s Awami League (which remains banned and under investigation) and the interim government, while critics view these measures as part of a coordinated plan to undermine her political influence.
Khaleda Zia was recently freed from detention and reinstated with some privileges, an event many saw as signaling a change in political power dynamics (See Straitstimes.com for coverage; Reuter’s for details); Also see Wikipedia (en.wikipedia) for background). Which Leads Us To Wonder…What’s Next?
Hasina currently faces three active arrest warrants related to allegations of crimes against humanity during protests, with two warrants currently outstanding for her and one tied to allegations made during these protests, according to Bdnews24.com (source). Alternatively, three active warrants exist from previous police investigations, with at least one warrant reportedly linked with crimes against humanity charges during these protests (source).
Should she be extradited or return to Bangladesh, she faces potential imprisonment on account of contempt charges and additional ICT cases.
Hasina’s return to politics has been complicated by this ruling, with negotiations over her surrender and legal immunity likely becoming central themes in regional diplomacy between Dhaka and New Delhi.